Pests of Monocotyledon Crops

Abstract

During the long and complex evolution of maize, periodic mutations produced kernels with endosperms containing high concentrations of sugars. Selection and cultivation of the resulting sweet genotypes eventually led to the product now known as sweet corn, sweet maize or vegetable corn. The sweetness of Zea mays var. rugosa L. is controlled by a number of recessive genes that also aid in the broad classification of sweet corn cultivars: e.g. su, the standard sweet corns; se, corns with enhanced sweetness; and sh 2 , the recently developed ‘super sweets’. The two latter types maintain sweetness, and therefore quality, far longer than the standard sus. Although a warm-season, annual crop, and susceptible to frost, sweet corn can be grown in areas having relatively short growing seasons because the edible portion is harvested and consumed prior to physiological maturity. It is grown world-wide for fresh-market consumption and for processing (canned, frozen cut corn and frozen whole ears). The roots, stems, foliage and fruits are attacked by a number of vertebrate and invertebrate pests, as well as many diseases. Home gardeners may accept a great deal of damage from insects, but for commercial purposes, insect-related factors such as feeding on the kernels, insect by-products, or the actual presence of insects or insect parts, may reduce marketability. Because it affects customer appeal, superficial or ‘cosmetic’ injury to the